Mice and Rats in Garden

Living in a big city with major renovation in homes, we've got a rat and mouse frenzy.
I do not keep any food like items in the yard and it is kept debris free, but they
like to use my plants as hiding spots.
Is there anything other than bait and traps that I can use as a deterent to keep them
out. I've used Ropel, but it gets expensive to keep treating.
Thanks